Course Catalog

English

ENGL – English course descriptions

Faculty

Mary Stark (chair), Valerie Billing, Lance Dyzak, Kate Nesbit

Statement of philosophy

The English program enriches academic quality at Central College through traditional literary studies and innovative teaching and research across disciplines. We foster close reading, critical thinking, strong writing, and intellectual and artistic creativity in all of our courses. In English courses at Central College, students explore the self, learn about others, and seek social change–while also developing a diverse and practical skill set applicable to a wide range of careers.

Here at Central, we offer a distinctive approach to the study and craft of literature, an approach informed by four overarching commitments:

1. We believe in civic engagement in global and local contexts. Our classes develop strong commitments to sustainability, social justice, and service-learning.
2. Second, we believe the study of literature and creative writing produces agile professionals. Central College graduates in English have thrived in fields as diverse as journalism, architecture, business management, education, law, medicine, public administration, and library science.
3. Third, we are committed to deepening intercultural and international learning, through courses that cover a broad range of geographical and cultural territories. We prioritize global and postcolonial literature, as well as literatures from minoritized communities in the US.
4. Finally, we see literature as the nexus of interdisciplinary learning. We explore connections between literature, science, aesthetics, history, gender studies, and cultural studies. Also, through supporting Central College’s Core Curriculum, the English program supports students across the college as they seek to become strong critical thinkers, thoughtful readers, and compelling writers.

Major Communication Skills

The English program guarantees personal and thoughtful mentorship of student writing both in the classroom and in a distinctive portfolio review process. When students declare their intent to major in English, the department requests a portfolio of at least three papers that demonstrate critical reading and mastery of style. Majors must submit a second portfolio of at least five papers in their senior year for the final portfolio review. English faculty meet as a department to discuss portfolios and return detailed feedback to each student on strengths and areas for improvement in his or her writing. The combination of individual attention from professors and the collective opinion of the English faculty on student writing helps our majors understand their writing process and grow increasingly more reflective about the ways they might continue to improve.

 

English Major Requirements (40 credit minimum) 

1. Take all of the following required courses:
    ENGL   160     The Literary Imagination (4)
   Or an additional survey course or course from genre and issue studies (3-4)
   ENGL   180      The Reader’s Toolbox (3)
   ENGL   346      Discovering Shakespeare (3)
   ENGL   425      Seminar in Literary Studies (4)

 

2. Take two of the following surveys in British and American Literature:
   ENGL   236        The American Experiment, Origins-1890 (3)
   ENGL   237         The American Experiment, 1890- Present (3)
   ENGL   251         Monsters and Monstrosity in English Literature, 800-1785 (3)
   ENGL   252        The Haunted House of British Literature, 1785- Present (3)

           

3. Take six of the following courses, at least 2 at the 300-level:
   ENGL    140        Introduction to Creative Writing (4)
   ENGL    212        Caribbean Literature (3)
   ENGL    213        Literature, Environment, and Ecology (3)
   ENGL    214        Literature by Women (4)
   ENGL    215        African-American Literature (4)
   ENGL    216        LGBTQ+ Literature and Culture (3)
   ENGL    217        Literature and Film of the Middle East (4)
   ENGL    240       The Personal Essay (4) 
   ENGL    241        Short Story Writing (4)
   ENGL    243        Writing Oral Histories (4)
   ENGL    246        Writing for Non-Profit Organizations (4)
   ENGL    270       Illness and Health in Literature (4)
   ENGL    361        World Literature (4)
   ENGL    378        Literary Topics (4)

           

 

English Major with Additional Emphasis in Writing (54 credit minimum)

Note: Students must declare their intention to major in English with Writing Emphasis no later than the end of their third year.

1. Complete all requirements for the English major listed above (40 credits)           

2. Complete three of the following (in addition to those taken for the English major):
   ANTH     375        Ethnographic Writing (4)
    ENGL    140        Introduction to Creative Writing (4)
   ENGL     240        The Personal Essay (4)
   ENGL     241        Short Story Writing (4)
   ENGL     243        Writing Oral Histories (4)
   ENGL     244        Professional Writing (3)
   ENGL     246        Writing for Non-Profit Organizations (4)

3. Complete ENGL 497 Internship in Writing (3)

 

 

English Minor Requirements (19 credit minimum)

1. Take one of the following historical surveys:
   ENGL    236          The American Experiment, Origins- 1890 (3)
   ENGL    237          The American Experiment, 1890- Present (3)
   ENGL    251           Monsters and Monstrosity in English Literature, 800-1785 (3)
   ENGL    252          The Haunted House of British Literature, 1785- Present (3)

 

2. Take four of the following electives, at least one at the 300-level:
   ENGL    140           Introduction to Creative Writing (4)
   ENGL    160           The Literary Imagination (4)
   ENGL    180           The Reader’s Toolbox (3)
   ENGL    212           Caribbean Literature (3)
   ENGL    213           Literature, Environment, and Ecology (3)
   ENGL    214           Literature by Women (4)
   ENGL    215           African-American Literature (4)
   ENGL    216           LGBTQ+ Literature and Culture (3)
   ENGL    217           Literature and Film of the Middle East (4)
   ENGL    240           The Personal Essay (4)
   ENGL    241           Short Story Writing (4)
   ENGL    243           Writing Oral Histories (4)
   ENGL    246           Writing for Non-Profit Organizations (4)
   ENGL    270           Illness and Health in Literature (4)
   ENGL    361           World Literature (4)
   ENGL    378           Literary Topics (4)

 

3. Take one of the following:
   ENGL    346           Discovering Shakespeare (3)
   ENGL    425           Seminar in Literary Studies (4)

 Note: Students seeking teaching licensure should consult with the Education Department regarding additional required courses.

 

Writing Minor Requirements (17 credit minimum)

 

1. Complete five of the following:
   ENGL    240           The Personal Essay (4)
   ENGL    241           Short Story Writing (4)
   ENGL    243            Writing Oral Histories (4)     
   ENGL    244            Professional Writing (3) 
   ENGL    246            Writing for Non-Profit Organizations (4)
   ENGL    497            Internship in Writing (3)
    

English courses for licensure in secondary education          

         Take all of the following:
         ENGL     222             Literature for Young Adults (1)
         ENGL     320             Teaching Writing (2)
         EDUC     231             Teaching English Language Learners (3)
         EDUC     451             Secondary Special Methods (1)
         COMM    160             Communication in Everyday Life (3) or COMM 272 Oral Communication in Professional Contexts
        Plus 12 credits of Secondary Student Teaching

The English department will not recommend for teacher licensure students whose grade average within their English courses is below 3.00. The department has advised the teacher education committee that such students should be denied admission to or be dropped from the certification process until grades in English have been brought up to 3.00.

Please check with the education department for any other specific requirements.